tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈtü-nik 

ˈtyü-

1

a

: a simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves and usually knee-length or longer, belted at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment by men and women of ancient Greece and Rome

b

: surcoat

2

a

: a hip-length or longer blouse or jacket

b

: a short overskirt

3

: a long usually plain close-fitting jacket with high collar worn especially as part of a uniform

4

: tunicle

5

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue

the tunic of a seed

Examples of tunic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a little bit of Italian history embedded in the collection, as draping is informed by Dante Alighieri’s tunics seen in portraits of him. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025

From casual tunics to dressier button-down shirts that’ll pair perfectly with your entire fall wardrobe, Amazon’s best long-sleeve blouses are all under $35 right now. —Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025

There’s more wrinkle-free tees, tunics, and blouses to explore this season at Amazon; scroll on to inspire your next shopping haul. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2025

Eventually, the desert neutrals gave way to buttercream, chartreuse, oxblood, burnt orange, and lavender, while tunics and shorts were paired with tailoring. —Naomi Rougeau, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Old English tunice, from Latin tunica, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew kuttōneth coat

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for tunic

• eunuch
• punic
• runic

Kids Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

1

: a usually belted knee-length garment worn by ancient Greeks and Romans

2

: a shirt or jacket reaching to or just below the hips

Medical Definition

tunic

noun

tu·​nic ˈt(y)ü-nik 

: an enclosing or covering membrane or tissue : tunica

the tunics of the eye